Chrome favorites move through your Google account or by exporting a file

The fastest way to move Chrome favorites (also called bookmarks) is to sign into your Google account on a new device or browser — your bookmarks sync automatically. If you want to move them to a browser that isn't Chrome, or if you don't use a Google account, you can export your bookmarks as an HTML file and import them into another browser. Both methods preserve your folder structure and the order of your bookmarks.

The method you choose depends on where you're moving your bookmarks. If you're staying in Chrome or moving to another device with Chrome, syncing through your Google account is the simplest option. If you're switching to Firefox, Safari, Edge, or another browser, exporting and importing the HTML file is the way to go.

Key Takeaways

  • Signing into your Google account on a new device automatically syncs all your Chrome bookmarks without any extra steps.
  • You can export Chrome bookmarks as an HTML file through the Bookmark Manager, which works with almost any browser.
  • Exported bookmark files can be imported into Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, and most other browsers using their import tools.
  • Bookmark folders and the order you arranged them in transfer along with the bookmarks themselves.

Syncing bookmarks through your Google account

If you sign into the same Google account on a new device or in a new installation of Chrome, your bookmarks appear automatically within a few minutes. This is the simplest method because you don't need to do anything after signing in — Google handles the transfer in the background.

Open Chrome and select the profile icon in the top right corner. If you're not signed in, choose "Sign in to Chrome" and enter your Google email and password. Once you're signed in, go to Settings (the three-line menu icon, then Settings), select "Sync and Google services" on the left, and confirm that "Sync everything" is turned on or that "Bookmarks" is checked. Your bookmarks will sync to that device within minutes.

This method works across Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS devices. If you have multiple Google accounts, each one maintains its own set of bookmarks, so make sure you're signed into the account that holds the bookmarks you want to transfer.

Exporting bookmarks as an HTML file

Exporting creates a single file containing all your bookmarks and folders. This file can be imported into almost any browser, making it the best option if you're switching to Firefox, Safari, Edge, or another browser entirely.

Open Chrome and go to the three-line menu icon in the top right. Select "Bookmarks and lists," then "Bookmark Manager." In the Bookmark Manager window, click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner and select "Export bookmarks." Choose where to save the file on your computer — your Downloads folder is the default location. The file will be named "bookmarks_[date].html" and contains every bookmark and folder you have.

Keep this HTML file somewhere you can find it. You'll need it to import your bookmarks into another browser or device. The file is small and safe to store on cloud services or email to yourself if you want to access it from multiple places.

Importing bookmarks into Firefox

Open Firefox and click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Select "Bookmarks," then "Manage Bookmarks," which opens the Library window. In the Library, click the "Import and Backup" button (it looks like a star with an arrow), then select "Import Bookmarks from HTML." Navigate to the bookmarks HTML file you exported from Chrome and open it. Firefox will add all your bookmarks to a folder called "Imported Bookmarks."

Your bookmarks and folders appear in Firefox's sidebar and menu. You can move them to different locations or delete the "Imported Bookmarks" folder once you've organized them the way you want. Firefox keeps your bookmarks synced across devices if you sign into a Firefox account, similar to how Chrome works with Google accounts.

Importing bookmarks into Safari, Edge, and other browsers

Safari (Mac and iOS): On Mac, open Safari and go to File menu, then "Import From." Select "Bookmarks HTML File" and choose your exported Chrome file. On iPad or iPhone, Safari doesn't have a direct import feature — you'll need to use iCloud to sync bookmarks from a Mac, or manually add them.

Microsoft Edge: Open Edge and click the three-dot menu in the top right. Select "Settings," then "Import browser data" on the left side. Choose "Bookmarks and settings" and select "From an HTML file." Navigate to your exported Chrome bookmarks file and select it. Edge will import all your bookmarks into the Favorites section.

Opera: Click the Opera menu icon (top left), select "Bookmarks," then "Import bookmarks." Choose "From HTML file" and select your Chrome bookmarks file. Opera will add them to your bookmarks menu.

Other browsers: Most browsers have an import feature in their settings or menu. Look for "Import," "Import bookmarks," or "Import from file" in the settings or menu area. The exact location varies, but the process is similar: find the import tool, select your HTML file, and the bookmarks transfer over.

Transferring bookmarks between devices without a Google account

If you don't use a Google account or want to move bookmarks without signing in, export the HTML file on your current device and transfer it to the new device, then import it there. You can email the file to yourself, save it to a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox, or copy it to a USB drive.

Once the file is on the new device, open the browser you want to use and follow the import steps for that browser. The bookmarks will appear in the same folder structure you had before. This method works even if you're moving between completely different computers or operating systems.

What happens to bookmarks during transfer

Bookmark folders, subfolders, and the order you arranged them in all transfer to the new location. The name of each bookmark, the URL it points to, and any notes you added are preserved. Bookmark syncing through your Google account is continuous — if you add a new bookmark on one device, it appears on all your other signed-in devices within minutes.

When you export and import bookmarks as an HTML file, the transfer happens once. Any bookmarks you add after the export won't be included in that file, so if you want to keep bookmarks in sync across devices long-term, using your Google account is more reliable. You can always export again later if you want to update the file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my bookmarks disappear from Chrome if I export them?

No. Exporting creates a copy of your bookmarks in a file — it doesn't remove them from Chrome. Your original bookmarks stay in Chrome, and you now have a separate file you can import elsewhere.

Can I merge bookmarks from two different Chrome accounts?

Not automatically. You would need to export bookmarks from one account, import them into the browser where the other account is signed in, then export again and re-import to combine them. This process can create duplicates, so you may need to clean up afterward.

What if I forget where I saved the exported bookmarks file?

Check your Downloads folder first — that's the default save location. If it's not there, use your computer's search function to look for files with "bookmarks" in the name. You can also export again and save it somewhere you'll remember, like your Desktop.

Do I need to delete my old bookmarks before importing new ones?

No. Importing adds bookmarks to what you already have — it doesn't replace them. If you want to remove old bookmarks, you can delete them manually after the import is complete.